International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=228&year=2010&vol=1&issue=1 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk support@inderscience.com International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making 1752-6906 1752-6914 © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. © 2010 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijepdm_scoverijepdm.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=228&year=2010&vol=1&issue=1 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=33908 The two big challenges for this century are world poverty and climate change. The clean development mechanism (CDM) has the potential to address both, through integrated programmes that will be in compliance with the needs and objectives of the host countries. Actual practice shows that CDM technology transfer is focused on reducing emissions at the lowest possible cost and less on the sustainable development priorities and objectives of the host countries. This paper discusses a participatory approach to facilitate energy decision makers and relevant stakeholders to define, evaluate and finally decide on the most suitable sustainable energy technologies to transfer and implement in a particular developing country through the CDM. Following an overview presentation of the methodology, the results from its application in Israel are presented and analysed. The last section comments on the case of Israel and provides insights of the adopted approach. Sustainable energy technology transfers through the CDM? Application of participatory approaches for decision making facilitation
Charikleia Karakosta, Alexandros Flamos, Haris Doukas, Asher Vaturi
International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 1 - 16
The two big challenges for this century are world poverty and climate change. The clean development mechanism (CDM) has the potential to address both, through integrated programmes that will be in compliance with the needs and objectives of the host countries. Actual practice shows that CDM technology transfer is focused on reducing emissions at the lowest possible cost and less on the sustainable development priorities and objectives of the host countries. This paper discusses a participatory approach to facilitate energy decision makers and relevant stakeholders to define, evaluate and finally decide on the most suitable sustainable energy technologies to transfer and implement in a particular developing country through the CDM. Following an overview presentation of the methodology, the results from its application in Israel are presented and analysed. The last section comments on the case of Israel and provides insights of the adopted approach.

]]> 10.1504/IJEPDM.2010.033908 International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 1 - 16 Charikleia Karakosta Alexandros Flamos Haris Doukas Asher Vaturi School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Management and Decision Support Systems Lab (EPU-NTUA), 9, Iroon Polytechniou str., 15780, Athens, Greece. ' School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Management and Decision Support Systems Lab (EPU-NTUA), 9, Iroon Polytechniou str., 15780, Athens, Greece. ' School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Management and Decision Support Systems Lab (EPU-NTUA), 9, Iroon Polytechniou str., 15780, Athens, Greece. ' The Interdisciplinary Centre for Technological Analysis and Forecasting, Tel Aviv University (ICTAF), Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel participatory decision analysis sustainable technology transfer clean development mechanism CDM Israel energy technology transfer decision making sustainable development environmental policy sustainability 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00 © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. 1 1 1 16 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=33909 Industrial processes are gradually becoming more efficient as new designs consider the effect on costs and environmental impacts and costs. However, decisions on operating costs might not always be in hand with lower environmental impacts. Therefore, innovative approaches are needed to better understand and recognise the economic and environmental effects of industrial processes. This paper presents a multi-objective mathematical programming framework for a sustainability analysis of two wastewater treatment processes: pervaporation (PERV) and steam stripping (SS). The framework comprises mass and energy balances, design specifications, equipment size and utilities consumption. In addition, the framework makes use of life cycle approaches to quantify the environmental impact of the process under a holistic perspective. As a result, optimal operating conditions, at which environmental impact and treatment cost are minimised, have been identified. The multi-objective operating curves developed as part of this paper serve as a basis for decision making geared towards sustainable process designs. A multi-objective mathematical programming framework for a sustainability analysis of wastewater treatment processes
Omar Romero-Hernandez, Antonin Ponsich, Sergio Romero Hernandez, Miguel De Lascurain, Jose Aquino
International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 17 - 39
Industrial processes are gradually becoming more efficient as new designs consider the effect on costs and environmental impacts and costs. However, decisions on operating costs might not always be in hand with lower environmental impacts. Therefore, innovative approaches are needed to better understand and recognise the economic and environmental effects of industrial processes. This paper presents a multi-objective mathematical programming framework for a sustainability analysis of two wastewater treatment processes: pervaporation (PERV) and steam stripping (SS). The framework comprises mass and energy balances, design specifications, equipment size and utilities consumption. In addition, the framework makes use of life cycle approaches to quantify the environmental impact of the process under a holistic perspective. As a result, optimal operating conditions, at which environmental impact and treatment cost are minimised, have been identified. The multi-objective operating curves developed as part of this paper serve as a basis for decision making geared towards sustainable process designs.

]]> 10.1504/IJEPDM.2010.033909 International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 17 - 39 Omar Romero-Hernandez Antonin Ponsich Sergio Romero Hernandez Miguel De Lascurain Jose Aquino Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM), Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations, Rio Hondo No. 1, Mexico City, 01000, Mexico; University of California, Berkeley, School of Engineering, CA, USA. ' Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM), Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations, Rio Hondo No. 1, Mexico City, 01000, Mexico. ' Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM), Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations, Rio Hondo No. 1, Mexico City, 01000, Mexico. ' Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM), Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations, Rio Hondo No. 1, Mexico City, 01000, Mexico. ' Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM), Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations, Rio Hondo No. 1, Mexico City, 01000, Mexico multiobjective mathematical programming treatment technologies minimum environmental impact life cycle assessment LCA sustainability sustainable development wastewater treatment pervaporation steam stripping decision making sustainable process design 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00 © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. 1 1 17 39 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=33910 A remote sensing approach for flood mitigation is presented. Landsat TM satellite imagery and digital topographic sheets were the main datasets for mapping a section of the Qu'Appelle River, located in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Three time-series change detection images for periods between 1988-1992, 1992-2000 and 1988-2000 demonstrate that Landsat satellite data are efficient multi-temporal and multi-spectral media for the characterisation and analysis of floodplains. Our results allowed for mapping of changes in the Qu'Appelle River floodplain. Remote sensing technologies are effective, fast and economical tools for the mapping and visualisation of the spatial extent for flood mitigation models, especially for this section of the Qu'Appelle River. Time-series change detection approach for flood modelling
Rifaat Abdalla
International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 40 - 50
A remote sensing approach for flood mitigation is presented. Landsat TM satellite imagery and digital topographic sheets were the main datasets for mapping a section of the Qu'Appelle River, located in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Three time-series change detection images for periods between 1988-1992, 1992-2000 and 1988-2000 demonstrate that Landsat satellite data are efficient multi-temporal and multi-spectral media for the characterisation and analysis of floodplains. Our results allowed for mapping of changes in the Qu'Appelle River floodplain. Remote sensing technologies are effective, fast and economical tools for the mapping and visualisation of the spatial extent for flood mitigation models, especially for this section of the Qu'Appelle River.

]]> 10.1504/IJEPDM.2010.033910 International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 40 - 50 Rifaat Abdalla Disaster and Emergency Management Graduate Program, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, Canada flood modelling remote sensing flood mitigation satellite imagery digital topographic sheets Canada Landsat change detection floodplains mapping visualisation environmental policy 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00 © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. 1 1 40 50 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=33911 The global climate change is one of the most important and disputable problems in the modern world. The Kyoto Protocol is an effort of the international community to control environmental impacts. To study pros and cons of Russia's participation in this initiative, different integrated assessment models for evaluating greenhouse gases (GHG) reduction policies can be engaged. In the present paper, an approach to modelling is briefly described and some simulation results are discussed. The emphasis is on obtaining the 'optimal' temporal dynamics of economic-energetic indices for different scenarios of Russia's development. The main result shows that, in the first commitment period of the Protocol, GHG emissions in Russia can reach the critical level in some extreme cases. Application of an optimisation model to studying some aspects of Russia's economic development
B.V. Digas, V.L. Rozenberg
International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 51 - 63
The global climate change is one of the most important and disputable problems in the modern world. The Kyoto Protocol is an effort of the international community to control environmental impacts. To study pros and cons of Russia's participation in this initiative, different integrated assessment models for evaluating greenhouse gases (GHG) reduction policies can be engaged. In the present paper, an approach to modelling is briefly described and some simulation results are discussed. The emphasis is on obtaining the 'optimal' temporal dynamics of economic-energetic indices for different scenarios of Russia's development. The main result shows that, in the first commitment period of the Protocol, GHG emissions in Russia can reach the critical level in some extreme cases.

]]> 10.1504/IJEPDM.2010.033911 International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 51 - 63 B.V. Digas V.L. Rozenberg Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, IMM UB RAS, S.Kovalevskoi St. 16, 620219 Ekaterinburg, Russia. ' Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, IMM UB RAS, S.Kovalevskoi St. 16, 620219 Ekaterinburg, Russia policy evaluation GHG emissions emission reduction greenhouse gases Kyoto Protocol regional effects modelling global effects MERGE Russia economic development inter-temporal optimisation climate change integrated assessment models 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00 © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. 1 1 51 63 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=33912 This study developed essential parameters to be employed as tools for supporting decisions regarding the implementation of green technologies (GT) in buildings. This was done by identifying the most significant parameters that affect the performance of GT in buildings, primarily from the perspective of facility managers as well as the present and future facility users, public and the environment. They include cost, user needs, simplicity, integration and availability of service and maintenance. These parameters were further mapped into measurable equivalents that may prove useful in the development of a model for performance indexing of GT. The developed model may further be used to predict the resulting grades or 'shades of green technologies' (SGT). The specific objective of the present paper is to present the most important benefits to people and the environment following the application of GT. One may argue that not only 'green' but any building technology should satisfy some basic qualitative and quantitative criteria in order to be considered viable for a building construction project. The phrase 'shades of green technologies' is offered here to reflect the potential for 'scaling' or grading of 'green' in building construction projects. Shades of green technologies: identification of significant parameters affecting the performance of green technologies in buildings
Shariar Makarechi, Laleh Yerushalmi
International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 64 - 76
This study developed essential parameters to be employed as tools for supporting decisions regarding the implementation of green technologies (GT) in buildings. This was done by identifying the most significant parameters that affect the performance of GT in buildings, primarily from the perspective of facility managers as well as the present and future facility users, public and the environment. They include cost, user needs, simplicity, integration and availability of service and maintenance. These parameters were further mapped into measurable equivalents that may prove useful in the development of a model for performance indexing of GT. The developed model may further be used to predict the resulting grades or 'shades of green technologies' (SGT). The specific objective of the present paper is to present the most important benefits to people and the environment following the application of GT. One may argue that not only 'green' but any building technology should satisfy some basic qualitative and quantitative criteria in order to be considered viable for a building construction project. The phrase 'shades of green technologies' is offered here to reflect the potential for 'scaling' or grading of 'green' in building construction projects.

]]> 10.1504/IJEPDM.2010.033912 International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 64 - 76 Shariar Makarechi Laleh Yerushalmi Construction Management Department, Southern Polytechnic State University, 1100 South Marietta Parkway Suite H 300, Marietta, Georgia 30060, USA. ' Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, 1515 St. Catherine Street West, EV 6.165, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1H5, Canada green technologies environmental policy renewable technologies building performance energy saving optimisation technology integration green buildings decision making facilities management 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00 © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. 1 1 64 76 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=33913 This study intends to develop a decision making model that gives a solution of social problems such as widening economic gap between rural and urban regions and the corresponding environmental pollution. To revitalise regions that confront rural collapse, a framework of interregional management should be sought. A household investment system is taken up as a watershed-based management approach that enables to improve the water quality and realise sustainable agricultural activities. Multi-objective optimisation problems regarding regional long-term utilities are solved with a water pollutant emission model and an investment behavioural model. The proposed investment system is assessed in terms of interregional economic growth and environmental conservation. As a result, the investment system works well on an additional rural economic development and the watershed water quality conservation without interrupting regional economic growth. Assessment of investment system for rural resources and water quality management: multi-objective optimisation of interregional sustainable development
Shoichi Kiyama
International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 77 - 96
This study intends to develop a decision making model that gives a solution of social problems such as widening economic gap between rural and urban regions and the corresponding environmental pollution. To revitalise regions that confront rural collapse, a framework of interregional management should be sought. A household investment system is taken up as a watershed-based management approach that enables to improve the water quality and realise sustainable agricultural activities. Multi-objective optimisation problems regarding regional long-term utilities are solved with a water pollutant emission model and an investment behavioural model. The proposed investment system is assessed in terms of interregional economic growth and environmental conservation. As a result, the investment system works well on an additional rural economic development and the watershed water quality conservation without interrupting regional economic growth.

]]> 10.1504/IJEPDM.2010.033913 International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, Vol. 1, No. 1 (2010) pp. 77 - 96 Shoichi Kiyama Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan interregional management systems investment models rural resources multiobjective optimisation water pollution water quality management sustainable development sustainability decision making environmental policy 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00 © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. 1 1 77 96 2010-07-03T23:20:50-05:00